Keokuk Students Grow with Computer Science

Students from Hawthorne Elementary School in Keokuk who participated in the STEM Scale-Up Program Robot Investigations with Finch Robot reported more confidence with new technology and increased interest in computer science and robotics.
Students from Hawthorne Elementary School in Keokuk who participated in the STEM Scale-Up Program Robot Investigations with Finch Robot reported more confidence with new technology and increased interest in computer science and robotics.

Each year, STEM Scale-Up Program evaluation data indicates positive impact in students’ test scores, in interest in STEM subjects and in pursuing STEM careers. Diane Berner, Keokuk Community School District K-3 teacher and talented and gifted program coordinator, observed a significant shift in student attitudes toward computer science and technology after incorporating the STEM Scale-Up Program Robot Investigations with Finch Robot into her curriculum at Hawthorne Elementary School.

Berner administered a before-and-after survey about students’ comfort and interest with technology while incorporating the Finch Robot Scale-up. Her survey showed:

  • Increased excitement, happiness and confidence and decreased nervousness about trying new technology
  • Confidence with new technology ratings of a 4 or 5 increased from 51 percent to 84 percent
  • Interest in computer science and robotics rating of a 4 or 5 increased from 66 percent to 97 percent

“Student responses indicate a significant positive impact from the Finch experience,” said Berner. One of Berner’s students commented, “It was hard, but I did it!”

Nearly 100,000 students and 2,000 educators are impacted by the STEM Scale-Up Program annually. Since 2012, more than one million PreK-12 Iowans have participated in STEM Scale-Up Programming. For more information about the STEM Scale-Up Program, visit www.IowaSTEM.org/scale-up.

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